A MAJOR road was shut for almost five hours and two people have been taken to hospital following a crash involving four cars near Burley.

The A35 was closed both ways between the B3058 Holmsley Road and Lyndhurst Lane.

A further four people sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision.

The road reopened shortly after 4pm on Friday, but motorists were warned about extensive damage to the road surface.

Highways teams are investigating and resurfacing work may be required.

South Central Ambulance Service said two patients had to be transferred to hospital for treatment.

A spokesman said: "There were six patients involved in the four vehicle accident.

"Four of them (one child and three adults) sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

"Two female patients, one in her early 70s and one in her early 20s have sustained shoulder, hip and back injuries – not serious or life-threatening – but requiring further treatment at hospital.

"They have both been taken to University Hospital Southampton by road."

Emergency crews were called to the scene at 11.10am.

Two ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, a paramedic team leader and the air ambulance attended, the service said.

Brendan Harvey, senior ambulance officer at the incident, said: “All those involved in the accident were extremely lucky.

"Two of the four vehicles involved left the road and narrowly missed some very large trees.

"The other two vehicles on the road were extensively damaged.

"A few feet either way for the vehicles involved and it could easily have been a lot worse, with many of those involved suffering serious and potentially fatal injuries."

The road is expected to remain closed for several hours this afternoon whilst police investigate.

An Audi A7, a Renault Scenic, a Vauxhall Corsa, and a Ford Fiesta are reportedly involved.

Matt Pinner, whose partner was involved in the crash, said: "I got a call at around 11.05am from my girlfriend saying she had been involved in an accident on the main road which goes into Lyndhurst just past the bridge section.

"When I got to the scene around 11.10am there was a red car with three people inside.

"My girlfriend's green Vauxhall was pushed into the side of the verge.

"There was a brown Vauxhall on the other side.

"The police said a black Audi probably burst a tyre going towards Lyndhurst. It took out all the other cars.

"The Audi crashed head on with the red car and took out the other two cars."

Traffic is being diverted via Burley and Brockenhurst due to the closure.